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About
Gandhi Sarovar Kedarnath |
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Gandhi Sarovar is one of the most beautiful and amazing place
in kedarnath dham. Gandhi Sarovar lake is also known as
Chorabari Tal due to it's source glacier name (Chorabari
glacier). Chorabari tal is a older name of this lake. When
Ashes of Mahatma Gandhi drop into Chorabari lake then
Chorabari lake was renamed as Gandhi Sarovar.
Gandhi Sarovar is a small lake holding crystal clear water.
Gandhi Sarovar is also known as Chorabari Tal because it is
located on the mouth of Chorabari Bamak glacier. Gandhi
Sarovar lies on the foot of Kedarnath and Kirthi Stambh peak
at an astounding altitude of 3,900 mts above sea level. Gandhi
Sarovar blesses the tourists with stimulating views of the
amazing Himalayan peaks. It is advised to visit Gandhi Sarovar
early in the morning, because the weather of this region
changes rapidly.
After reaching Gandhi Sarovar lake the reflection of Himalaya
peak (Kailash Parvat) can be seen in this lake. The origin of
Mandakini river from here is worth to visit and not to be
missed . When the door of kedarnath temple was opened to
across the whole world's pilgrims. Whole kedarnath valley was
merged in snow. At that time Gandhi Sarovar was also merged
under the heavy snow. |
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Gandhi Sarovar Trek |
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Gandhi Sarovar is situated at an elevation of 13700 m in the
mountain of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, India. Vehicles are
available in Rishikesh and Haridwar to Gaurikund which is about
250 kms by road. Then road is not available from Gaurikund to
kedarnath.
There is 14 km foot distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. The 14
km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath goes through virgin deodar
and oak forest and picturesque waterfalls. The 3 km trek
commences from the iron bridge of Kedarnath and ends up at
Gandhi Sarovar. Horse and Pithus are available in Gaurikund to
Kedarnath. After reaching Kedarnath, the trek of Gandhi Sarovar
start from iron bridge on Mandakini river in horse stable,
Kedarnath. The distance from bridge to Gandhi Sarovar lake is
about to 3.5 km. The trek of Gandhi Sarovar is easy and
beautiful with grassy layer field. In last 2 years the trek is
modified with strong concrete. In just starting of Gandhi
Sarovar trek the beautiful view of Doodh Ganga river can be
seen. And again on reaching at a distance of about 3 km most
beautiful Madhu Ganga waterfalls can be seen. Don't miss to
capture it. There is an amazing waterfall en route to Chorabari
Tal. While traveling to Gandhi Sarovar do purify soul by
worshipping in the sacred temple of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath. There
are no stalls or tea shops on the way so carry your stuff with
you. |
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Gandhi Sarovar Trekking Tips |
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1) It is better to visit here in early morning because
after 12 am there is no guarantee in changing weather.
2) You can carry plastic raincoat with you for safety from
rain. Raincoat are available in Kedarnath market.
3) Heart and BP problem person are not allowed to go for
trek due to the shortage of oxygen.
4) Don't make any type of noise pollution near Gandhi
Sarovar lake. These type of noise can be reason to glacier
falling. |
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Geography |
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The
glacier lies between latitudes 30°44′50″N and 30°45′30″N, and
longitudes 79°1′16″E and 79°5′20″E, from an elevation of about
6,000 metres at the slopes of Kedarnath peak, to 3,800 metres.
The glacier is about 7 kms in length, while the basin area of
the glacier is about 38 sq kms and the glacier ice cover is 5.9
sq kms. The glacier slope is about 11 degrees and faces south.
The glacier has two snouts. It is assumed by R. K. Chaujar that
an original single glacier covered the area, which while
receding, split into two snouts. One of the snouts is the source
of the Mandakini River at 3,865 metres. The other snout, at
3,835 metres (12,582 ft), drains into the Chorabari Tal. |
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Glacier Retreat |
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Though the glacier has not been broadly studied in the past
records of its extent exist from 1962 onwards. Since then,
studies conducted at the Chorabari glacier are playing an
important role in determining the impact of global warming on
Himalayan glaciers. The presence of garbage and stones on the
glacier's surface comparatively retard the melting of the ice.
Retreat for this glacier can be traced from 1960. In recent
years, annual observations have been taken of the retreat.
Though the glacier has been continuously retreating for the
period between 1960 and 2007, this evidence is not conclusively
linked to global warming.
R. K. Chaujar's research indicates that the glacier has gone
through other periods of retreat and advance in the past.
Through lichenometry and the study of engravings on the walls of
Kedarnath temple, Chaujar concludes that the Chorabari glacier
began its current retreat over two-and-a-half centuries ago in
1748. It has been argued that this indicates that the Medieval
Warm Period and Little Ice Age were not restricted to Europe.
This has also been proposed as evidence that the current retreat
of Himalayan glaciers may not exclusively be due to the effects
of human activity and global warming. |
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Nearby Tourist Places |
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Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is one of the most holy
temples of north India. The town of Kedarnath is also the last
point of accommodation in the nearby region. Shankracharya
Samadhi and Bhairon Devta Temple are also interesting places
to visit in Kedarnath town. There is one more lake - Vasuki
Tal which can be reached by trekking 6 kms from Kedarnath.
While traveling back one can visit Triyuginarayan.
Triyuginarayan is the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvati got married.
Chorabari Glacier
The Chorabari Glacier or Chorabari Bamak Glacier is a glacier
in the Garhwal Himalaya region of the state of Uttrakhand in
India. The glacier lies close to Kedarnath, an important
destination for Hindu pilgrims. One of the glacier's two
snouts is the source for the Mandakini River, a tributary of
the Alaknanda river.
Chorabari Tal
One of the two snouts of the Chorabari glacier ends at the
tarn, Chorabari Tal. Located about 4 kms from the town of
Kedarnath, the lake is visited by tourists in summer, though
not in large numbers because of the trek involved in getting
there. The lake is also known as Gandhi Sarovar. According to
yogic legends, Shiva, who is considered the Adi Guru or first
guru, transmitted yoga to the Saptarishis, on the bank of this
lake. In 1948, some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in
the lake after which it was renamed Gandhi Sarovar. Close to
the glacier is a Bhairava temple adjacent to which is a cliff
named Bhairava Jhamp. The cliff was a place where devotees
leaped off, believing that it would bring them mukti. The
practice was banned by the British administration in the
nineteenth century. |
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Accommodation in Gandhi Sarovar |
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There are no accommodation options available at Gandhi
Sarovar. The last point of accommodation en route Gandhi
Sarovar is Kedarnath. There are various types of
accommodation options available at Kedarnath. |
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How to Reach Gandhi Sarovar |
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Buses
and Taxis are available from Rishikesh to Gaurikund. The
remaining 17 kms distance to reach Gandhi Sarovar must be
completed on foot. Ponies and palanquins are available from
Gaurikund. The trekking route from Gaurikund to Gandhi Sarovar
is easy. Gandhi Sarovar is situated about 3 kms from Kedarnath.
Road Route from Delhi:
Delhi – Meerut – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi
– Gaurikund – (17 kms Trek) – Chorabari Tal. |
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